Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger and defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham spoke with the media Tuesday. Here are the takeaways from what they said.
Keeping confidence
Yes, the feeling among Texas fans may make it seem like the sky is falling. But at least outwardly, the team insists that there is no division despite the 2–2 record and back-to-back conference losses.
“I think a lot of that work is done over the summer and over fall camp and things like that when you really truly come together as a team and form those relationships,” Ehlinger said. “So when things do arise during the season, you already have that foundation to fall back on.”
Through four games, Texas is among the country’s most penalized teams — the Longhorns average 9.8 flags per game. But Ehlinger said that the team hasn’t allowed the self-inflicted wounds force division among teammates.
“We certainly haven’t let any frustration or mistakes splinter us in any way,” Ehlinger said.
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“Our goal is to win the rest of the games,” Graham said. “That goal is to go 6–0 and whatever happens after that, happens.”
‘The Eyes’ are watching Saturday
While this week’s matchup against Baylor obviously has large implications in terms of on-field success, what happens immediately after may be of as much interest to some Texas fans.
Tom Herman clarified earlier comments Monday, saying no players were required to stand for “The Eyes of Texas.” A meeting between Herman, AD Chris Del Conte and the team last week made it clear that the expectation was for players to appreciate the fans after the game by staying for the song.
“I’m worried about playing the game. We want to win,” Ehlinger said. “This is a lot of politics that are getting in the way, and we understand that. … Our job isn’t to determine what’s the right or wrong thing to do, our job is to win and eliminate distractions along that path.”
Ehlinger said he didn’t know who would participate in the school song, but both he and Graham said they will.
“I’m going to be out there for the song,” Graham said. “I’m going to support my teammates and I’m going to give thanks to the fans because that’s what they deserve.”
The scene following Texas' loss two weeks ago to Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl gave rise to the idea of a divided team, after Ehlinger was one of just a handful of players to remain on the field. The senior quarterback clarified that the confusion of the postgame led to that moment, but that he will keep singing the song because of what it means to him.
“I shared my perspective with the team,” Ehlinger said. “That perspective is that I grew up a Longhorn. I grew up singing ‘The Eyes of Texas’ win, lose or draw.”
The Austin quarterback pipeline
It’s mentioned every year (maybe even too often) that Texas never offered Baylor four-year starter Charlie Brewer out of high school. An Austin native, Brewer’s only Power Five offer came from the Bears despite the fact that Brewer’s father and grandfather both played for Texas.
Ehlinger and Brewer have drawn plenty of comparisons in their respective four years in the Big 12. With Ehlinger hailing from Westlake High School and Brewer from Lake Travis, the two quarterback’s paths have been connected since their high school days.
“I have a ton of respect for Charlie,” Ehlinger said. “He’s an incredible competitor (and an) incredible quarterback. Obviously (he’s) had a tremendous amount of success in his career, and competing against him has been awesome.”
Ehlinger said he spoke with Brewer a few days ago before the third (and likely final) time the two Austinites face off — the teams have split the previous two matchups.
“The friendship that we have off the field, I think that he’s a really, really good dude, and also a great football player on top of that,” Ehlinger said.
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